Iranian President Rouhani calls Iran deal victory over war

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the United States, on Sept. 28, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

UNITED NATIONS -- The Iran deal is a victory over war, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told the United Nations General Assembly Monday.

"The nuclear deal -- (is a) victory over war," said Rouhani. "(It) has managed to disperse the clouds of hostility and perhaps even the specter of another war and extensive tensions from the Middle East."

The statement came as the Iranian president was speaking at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly, which opened here Monday morning.

In July, Iran and six world major countries adopted an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue that will put Iran on the path of sanctions relief but more strict limits on its nuclear program. The nuclear deal reached with the six world major countries is expected to help build confidence.

The comprehensive agreement was clinched between Iran and the P5+1 group, namely Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany, after more than two weeks of tough bargaining in Vienna, the capital city of Austria. Under the deal, the Security Council is expected to lift sanctions against Iran in return for Iran meeting strict conditions regarding its nuclear program.

Rouhani said that Iran would continue to seek peace within the region, adding that he had been elected two-years ago with a "mandate for consolidating peace and constructive engagement with the world."

"Our policy is to continue our peace-seeking efforts in the region based on the same win-win principle, and act in a way that would lead to all in the region and world benefitting from these new conditions," he said.

Rouhani said that the deal also represented an opportunity for economic growth and development.

"Iran, with all of its economic and cultural potential, is well positioned to become a hub for export-oriented investment," he said. "Iran is also eager to show that we can all choose a lasting peace based on development and shared interests that will lead to a sustainable security rather than a volatile peace based on threats."

More than 140 heads of state and heads of government are expected to speak at this year's UN General Assembly General Debate.